Answer to Question #23212 in Biology for hannah

Question

Septobasidium spp.

Fungal hyphae penetrate a living scale insect's body and absorb its nutrients. The individual insect that serves as the food source is immobilized, but the rest of the insect colony benefits from the shelter the fungus provides.







mycorrhizal fungi on
pine tree roots

Mycorrhizal fungi associate with roots and receive carbohydrates from the pine tree. The tree receives phosphorus, and may die without this association.







fungi in the family Lepiotaceae

Leaf-cutter ants cultivate fungal gardens that consist of fungi in the family Lepiotaceae. The ants feed and care for the fungi,and the fungi serve as a food source for the ants.







Cordyceps spp.

Spores from these fungi attach to insects. The mycelium grows into the insect's body and absorbs nutrients from the soft tissues. Eventually the fungus sends up its reproductive structure through the insect's head.







Trichophyton spp.

Trichophyton is one genus of fungi responsible for athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch. The fungi colonize the outer skin layer and utilize keratin as their food source.







coprophilous fungi

These fungi absorb nutrients from animal feces.







Cryphonectria parasitica

C. parasitica absorb nutrients after breaking down the cells of living chestnut trees, causing chestnut blight.







Sort the following fungi based on whether they are decomposers, mutualists, or parasites.

Answer 1

Septobasidium spp., mycorrhizal fungis, - mutualists.
Lepiotaceae, coprophilous fungis - decomposers.
Cordyceps spp., Trichophyton spp., Cryphonectria parasitica - parasites.